Members of the press and public are invited to the West Virginia AFL-CIO’s annual Workers Memorial Day this Sunday, April 28, at the Farmington No. 9 Mine Disaster Memorial to honor the 23 West Virginians who lost their lives on the job in 2018.

“On April 28, the unions of the AFL-CIO throughout the country observe Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job, and to renew the fight for safe jobs,” said WV AFL-CIO President Josh Sword. “Here in West Virginia, we pledge to stand united against the ongoing attacks on workers’ rights and protections, and demand that elected officials put workers’ well-being above corporate interests.”

WV AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Andy Walters added, “On this Workers Memorial Day, we will remember and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives on the job or who have been injured or made sick. We call for an end to the unnecessary deaths of our brothers and sisters, and action to prevent them.”

United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts will be the featured speaker at the event, which will begin at 2 p.m.

The program, co-hosted by the AFL-CIO Marion County Labor Council, will include a reading of the names of 22 West Virginians who lost their lives in 2018 at the workplace and will feature tributes by local and state union representatives. 

WHAT:          Annual Workers Memorial Day

WHEN:          2 p.m., Sunday, April 28, 2019

WHERE:       Farmington No. 9 Mine Disaster Memorial, Llewelyn Run, (at                       

                        Flat Run Road) Mannington, WV